Overview
Aspiring screenwriters, are you looking to take your writing skills to the next level?
Aaron Sorkin – Academy Award-winning writer of acclaimed films and television shows – is here to help. With his MasterClass course on screenwriting, he provides invaluable insight into the craft of film and television screenwriting. You’ll get a combination of professional knowledge from some of his best works along with practical exercises and activities that will hone your writing skills.
Take this course today and you’ll gain the confidence needed to start writing your own scripts like a pro! Learn from one of the best in the business so you can become a top-notch screenwriter.
What you'll learn:
- Gain invaluable insight into the craft of film and television screenwriting from Academy Award-winning writer Aaron Sorkin
- Combine professional knowledge from acclaimed films and television shows with practical exercises and activities to take your writing to the next level
- Acquire the skills and confidence needed to start writing your own scripts like a pro
Lessons from this course
The Importance of Drama and Storytelling
In this course, Aaron Sorkin highlights the significance of drama and storytelling. He conveys that drama serves as a means to capture the audience's attention and maintain their emotional involvement, rather than a mere depiction of real life. Sorkin stresses the need for action and finding the right balance between reality and fiction to craft a cohesive plot that enthralls viewers throughout.
Crafting Compelling Characters
Sorkin teaches you how to create deep, compelling characters that resonate with your audience. He highlights the necessity of clearly defining each character's goals and the obstacles they face, along with the need to avoid overcomplicating your screenplay with irrelevant details. Your characters are as important as the story they're in, and this course helps you make them as gripping as possible.
Writing Captivating Dialogue
In this course, Aaron Sorkin discusses how dialogue, like music, should follow specific rules regarding pacing, cadence, tone, and volume. He encourages you to practice and physically interact with your dialogue - to say it out loud and test its effectiveness. Sorkin advises you to write with confidence and take creative liberties in creating engaging dialogue, adding an extra layer of depth to your screenplay.
Understanding the Story Structure
Sorkin points out the importance of a well-structured story for a powerful screenplay. He shares insights on the principles of the three-act structure and stresses the early introduction of the central conflict. The initial 15 pages of your screenplay play a crucial role in captivating your audience, and this course offers guidance on crafting them to be as enticing as possible.
The Rewriting Process and Receiving Feedback
In this course, Sorkin offers valuable insights on the rewriting process. He emphasizes the importance of finishing your initial draft before diving into revisions and suggests being receptive to feedback. However, he also cautions about considering opinions wisely. Throughout the rewriting process, Sorkin recommends retyping the script to meticulously examine each word, ensuring its relevance and flow, and refining your dialogue and prose to achieve perfection.
